Firefighters battling apartment blaze in North Seattle

David Bailey saved his friend’s dog, Lily, during a large apartment fire in North Seattle on Friday. Bailey, whose friend lives in the complex, was away at a job interview, so Bailey ran toward the flames and alerted Seattle firefighters to Lily’s presence. They went inside and retrieved the trembling bichon frise. (Courtney Riffkin / The Seattle Times)

A fire engulfs a four-story apartment building in North Seattle. (Photo courtesy of KING5)

Seattle firefighters are mopping up an apartment fire in North Seattle.

The four-story building, at 11753 15th Ave. N.E., has been heavily damaged by flames, but there are no reports of injuries, according to the Seattle Fire Department.

The fire reportedly started in the building’s parking garage and spread to the outside of the building and onto the roof, said Fire Department spokesman Kyle Moore. Six units were damaged and at least five people need help finding housing, Moore said.

Firefighters have spent a big portion of the day searching for pets, he said.

Firefighters have resuscitated at least one cat.

One resident, who declined to give her name, said she was asleep when she saw what she thought were clouds outside. She then heard an explosion and fire alarms.

“All of a sudden I smelled smoke,” she said.

She left the building, but her two cats remain inside, the woman said.

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The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and includes stories from The Associated Press and McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.